Myanmar is famed for numerous varieties of precious and semi-precious stones. The most notable precious stone varieties found in Myanmar are ruby, sapphire and jade.

Rubies are found in Mogok, Mong Hsu and Namya regions, while sapphires are found in Mogok and Momeik. Jade is exclusively located in the Myit Kyi Nar, Hpakant and Putao regions of Kachin state. Ruby, sapphire and jade found in Myanmar are distinct in their color and clarity characteristics.

Several varieties of semi-precious stones also found in Myanmar include spinel, peridot, aquamarine, amethyst, danburite, zircon, citrine, tourmaline, garnets and pearls, among others. Although classified as semi-precious, these rare stones are also noted for their extraordinary beauty and used in crafting high-end jewellery.

Ruby, sapphire and other gems can be heated to permanently enhance the stone’s color. Stones presented as natural have not been subjected to any color-enhancing treatments.

Skilled gemologists at gem-testing laboratories can determine whether stones are heated or natural by examining inclusions that occur within stones during the heating process. At Manawmaya, we uphold our guarantee that any color-enhancing treatments are disclosed to our customers.

The most prized color of rubies is pigeon blood. Such rubies are among the rarest of all gemstones. Pigeon blood in ruby is described as vivid, intense carmine red.

Although sapphires come in myriad colors, royal blue sapphires are the most highly regarded. Royal blue sapphires are vivid, intense pure blue with no secondary tones of grey, purple or green.

The cut of a gem brings a rough stone to its full potential. Faceted stones are fashioned with several polished planes, designed for the most effective display of color and clarity. Faceted stones are either brilliant cuts, step cuts, mixed cuts or more unusually - fancy cuts. While diamonds are often cut to match standardized dimensions, rare colored gems are most often mixed cuts, designed to maximize color and brilliance while retaining weight.

Cabochons are gems cut with curved surfaces, dome-shaped on top with either a flat or slightly rounded bottom. Star stones are gems that display a natural phenomenon called asterism, when inclusions within a stone create bands across the stone that shift with light, crossing to form a star. The star phenomenon is best displayed in gems with a cabochon cut.

Because gold in its purest form is very soft, it is mixed with alloys to form karat gold, which can be used to craft durable jewellery. Karat (k) refers to the relative fineness of gold, where pure solidgold is 24k. Metal alloys, such as copper, silver, nickel, iron and palladium, are used to form 22k to 18k gold and below. Manawmaya uses only 22k and 18k gold of the finest quality in our creations.

Yellow gold is alloyed with copper and silver, the combination of which retains gold’s natural yellow color. In addition to yellow gold, white and pink gold are also used in jewellery settings. White gold is created using nickel, manganese or platinum alloys, while the addition of copper creates pink gold.

What are the varieties of gemstones found in Myanmar?

Myanmar is famed for numerous varieties of precious and semi-precious stones. The most notable precious stone varieties found in Myanmar are ruby, sapphire and jade.

Rubies are found in Mogok, Mong Hsu and Namya regions, while sapphires are found in Mogok and Momeik. Jade is exclusively located in the Myit Kyi Nar, Hpakant and Putao regions of Kachin state. Ruby, sapphire and jade found in Myanmar are distinct in their color and clarity characteristics.

Several varieties of semi-precious stones also found in Myanmar include spinel, peridot, aquamarine, amethyst, danburite, zircon, citrine, tourmaline, garnets and pearls, among others. Although classified as semi-precious, these rare stones are also noted for their extraordinary beauty and used in crafting high-end jewellery.

What is the difference between natural and heated stones?

Ruby, sapphire and other gems can be heated to permanently enhance the stone’s color. Stones presented as natural have not been subjected to any color-enhancing treatments.

Skilled gemologists at gem-testing laboratories can determine whether stones are heated or natural by examining inclusions that occur within stones during the heating process. At Manawmaya, we uphold our guarantee that any color-enhancing treatments are disclosed to our customers.

What are the best colors of rubies and sapphires?

The most prized color of rubies is pigeon blood. Such rubies are among the rarest of all gemstones. Pigeon blood in ruby is described as vivid, intense carmine red.

Although sapphires come in myriad colors, royal blue sapphires are the most highly regarded. Royal blue sapphires are vivid, intense pure blue with no secondary tones of grey, purple or green.

What is the difference between faceted, cabochon and star stones?

The cut of a gem brings a rough stone to its full potential. Faceted stones are fashioned with several polished planes, designed for the most effective display of color and clarity. Faceted stones are either brilliant cuts, step cuts, mixed cuts or more unusually - fancy cuts. While diamonds are often cut to match standardized dimensions, rare colored gems are most often mixed cuts, designed to maximize color and brilliance while retaining weight.

Cabochons are gems cut with curved surfaces, dome-shaped on top with either a flat or slightly rounded bottom. Star stones are gems that display a natural phenomenon called asterism, when inclusions within a stone create bands across the stone that shift with light, crossing to form a star. The star phenomenon is best displayed in gems with a cabochon cut.

What are the different types of gold used in jewellery?

Because gold in its purest form is very soft, it is mixed with alloys to form karat gold, which can be used to craft durable jewellery. Karat (k) refers to the relative fineness of gold, where pure solidgold is 24k. Metal alloys, such as copper, silver, nickel, iron and palladium, are used to form 22k to 18k gold and below. Manawmaya uses only 22k and 18k gold of the finest quality in our creations.

Yellow gold is alloyed with copper and silver, the combination of which retains gold’s natural yellow color. In addition to yellow gold, white and pink gold are also used in jewellery settings. White gold is created using nickel, manganese or platinum alloys, while the addition of copper creates pink gold.